Finger cot



I Nov. 20, 1945. I V J. A. PETRULLO 2,389,237

FINGER COT Filed-May 2o, 1945 6. gmwm Patented Nov. 20, 1945 -:"UN1TED"STATES ATNTH OFFICE FINGER cor 7 V John A; Petrllo, Nv} York N. Y. Application May 20, 1943, Serial No. 487,776

2 Claims. (c1. 294 25).

This inventionjrelates to finger cots or'pads, and anobject of the same is to'senerally improve devices of this type.

outstanding objection to finger cots as heretofore known was the tendency to bind on the finger, with resulting discomfort due to restricted bloodcirculation and lack of ventilation. Another objection was the tendency of the cot or pad to takeon a smooth hardened surface in the area of contact With the work, resulting in lack of traction rgripping action.

Further and more specific objects of the present invention, therefore, include the provision of a. finger cot or pad which Will not bind on the finger even though the cot may have a relatively snug fit, and which at the same time is freely ventilated and easily removed and replaced at will; also a cot or pad which will remain soft and pliable throughout its life and which will not lose its gripping action or traction with the work.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a finger cot or pad in accordance with the invention shown in applied position;

Fig. 2, a transverse section of the cot of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a plan view of a piece of stock shown in the process of being formed into a tube from which the cots are subsequently cut in suitable lengths; r

to a:point where it steps or retards blood circulation, with resultant inherent discoihfort, nor will sponge rubber harden and assume a smooth surface at the area of contact with the work, These advantags combined with the pronounced cushioning action of'sponge rubber results in a cot or pad of marked superiority over prior known types.

.I have also found that a, cot made of sponge rubber is considerably improved by making the same in the form of a band having open ends, permitting the end of the j finger to project Y through the end of the cot as illustrated in' Fig; 1'.

Fig. 7, is a perspective of a still further modification.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and first to Figs. 1 and 2, the cot here illustrated is generally indicated at III and comprises a suitable length of sponge rubber made in the form of a band and joined along the line ll by cementing or vulcanizing. The cot is preferably formed with a series of ventilating openings IZ.

I have found that sponge rubber embodies certain characteristics which render such material superior to the type of rubber heretofore used in finger cots. sponge rubber is soft and unusually pliable and remains in this condition over a long period of time. Furthermore, with this material the cot can be given a relatively snug fit on the finger and will not bind or grip the finger This not only insures adequate ventilation, but also permits the relatively thick sponge rubber to assume a position on the finger which will not bind. Furthermore, the cot may be adjusted along the finger so that the end of the latter Will project just the right distance so that it may be used independently of the cot if so desired.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a. preferred method of making the improved cot. A strip of rubber I3 of suitable -width may first be formed witha plurality of ventilating openings IZ and then folded and joined along the line ll by cementing or vulcanizing, thereby providing a tube l4 of any suitable length as shown in Fig. 4. Cots may then be cut from this tube. Since the sponge rubber automatically adjusts itself to different finger dimensions or sizes of fingers, the diameter of the tube may be to some eX-tent standardized. In other words cots for male sizes may beall cut from the same diameter of tube, while those adapted for female sizes may be cut from a tube of smaller diameter. The result is a method of production whereby the cots may be manufactured and sold at an extremely low cost.

The apertures 2 and l2' are preferably formed in the side walls of the cot intermediate the secured edges and the sheet contact face or traction surface of the cot which is continuous. The apertures then do not interfere with the frictional or wear qualities of the sheet contact face and, in addition to providing desirable ventilation, promote expansibility at the side portions whereby to adapt the cot to fingers of various sizes,

Fig. 5 illustrates a finger cot l5 wheren the band is joined by stapling as indicated at IG. While the cot in this instance does not have the neat appearance which prevails when the band is joined by cementing or vulcanizing as in Figs. 1 and 2, yet in this instance the cots may be made where pr0visions for cementing or vulcanizing are not present. In other respects the cot shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that shown in 7Figs. 1 and 2, it being of the open-end type and having ventilating openings therein.

Fig. 6 iilustrates a finger cot l'l of the closedend type. The c0t of Fig. 6 is also made of sponge rubber, but in this instance the preferred method of manufacture is by moulding. While the open-ended cots of Figs. 1 an 2 may also be made by moulding, yet they can be manufactured more ec0nomcally by the method i11us trated in' l 'igs. 3"and4. 3

Fig. 7 illstrates a finger cot 18 made 'ofspdnge :rubber wherein the marginal edge portions of the strip from which the cots are made are joined by a lap seam l 9. The seem may be made by cementing or vulcanizing. In actual prati e I have foun c0ts of this type cheap to'manu- :facture while at the same time the seam is strong and durable. Due to the softfissrid pliability of sponge rubber, no discomfort ensues froma seam of the lap type. Y

various sizes of fingers and being compressbe to provide a flat frictional surface contact between the member and the sheet to be turned, said member being formed from a flat strip, the edges of which are brought together and permanently secured with their initial surfaces in contact, the securing means comprisng a metal- 1ic stap1e passing through the edges of said strip, thesh eet contact surface of said member being cntinuos, and the side Wa1ls'of sadmember intrmedi;te the securedetiges"and the sheet contact surface being apertured.

' 2. A finger cot for use as a finger protector and sheet turner comprising an open-ended substaritially cylindrical member of spongy rubberlil e material, said member being expansib1e to accommodate and conform to various sizes of fingers'aiid 'brg :ompressible to provide a flat frictioh1"surface for contact between the member and the sheet to heturned, said m ember Being 1I1ade from a fiat stfip;havifig its 'opiiosite 'dg e "ai'ticirs itd With their sirfacs :c:on ta ct, and means permanently'securing said contctiiig fiftiors 'tgethr, the "sheet eontact s ur face sa 'subs tantifly cylindrical fi njber being c0ntin ii'sfan'd the side Wl1sf said mern ber intriediate tlfehtretd edg portins a.1d the -sheet"contact srfb being apertured. 

